How to Live on Your Own – 6 Tips for Those Who Are Ready to Become Independent

Learning how to live on your own can be challenging, but you don’t have to worry. Everyone manages to achieve this, so can you. It is important that you believe in yourself and follow this convenient guide. Here you’ll learn all about financial management techniques, time organization, responsibilities, and much more.

Can I Survive Living on My Own? Tips That Will Help You Make It

Moving out for the first time is a big deal. Leaving everything you know and going away from your comfort zone can be challenging, but surely you can survive this transition. It is a big milestone in everyone’s life, and it requires a lot of strength and courage, but it can still bring you many benefits. No matter if you’re 16 and wondering what to pack for college or over 25 and moving in with your significant other. 

This is an exciting beginning of a new life chapter, and you should definitely cherish this amazing opportunity. Once you have enough reasons to move, you can start planning everything about this transition and find the best relocation hacks, learn how to relocate efficiently, and avoid all the common relocation mistakes. Don’t worry – even if you make some of them, that’s all part of growing, and we’ll ensure you handle them as best as possible and avoid unnecessary relocation stress.

You’ll Have to Make Some Important Decisions

First things first – you’ll have to decide where you are going to move and find out what you need to rent an apartment. If you’re relocating out of state on a budget, you’ll have to follow some convenient house-hunting tips and ensure you find an affordable place. The cost of an interstate relocation is not small, but this shouldn’t affect your final decision.

You can still find out the cheapest way to move out of state and follow your dreams. In the following lines, we’ll explain some factors you should take into consideration and how to plan everything and save on relocation costs.

#1 Create a List of Your Future Financial Responsibilities Before Making Any Final Decisions

Now that you’re relocating to a city alone, you’re probably wondering how much money do you need to live on your own. When living on your own, expenses just keep piling up, especially if you’re used to living with your parents and having someone else paying for everything you need. 

Learning how to manage your finances is one of the hardest parts of this process, and you’ll probably have some difficulties at the beginning. If you wonder if it is cheaper to live by yourself – it’s not, but you’ll learn how to handle it. 

Expenses You’ll Have to Cover After You Leave Your Parents Old Home to Live on Your Own

How much money do I need to live on my own? Well, try calculating things from this list to get an approximate amount or ask your parents, they have enough experience. Once you make up your mind about the relocation and decide where you are going to live, you’ll have to consider these potential expenses:

• Rent and deposit (for a few months in advance),
• Relocation costs (especially if you decide to hire professional long-distance movers),
• Utilities (gas, electricity, phone, internet and everything else you want),
• Food for you and your pets (in case you’re relocating with pets),
• Transportation,
• Household goods,
• Decorations needed to improve your future home, 
• Potential repairs.

You’ll probably have to save money to move out if your parents refuse to pay for everything or you choose to stay independent. One of the ways to track your monthly expenses is to write down everything – things you buy, the food you eat, even the take-out coffee you casually drink every day.

Once you put everything on paper, you’ll have a rough calculation of your monthly spendings. Include other mentioned expenses in the list, and you’ll end up with an amount you’ll probably need to survive a month.

#2 Explore the Cost of Living in the Area You’re Relocating to

Another great option you can rely on is the internet, especially if you know the exact place you’re relocating to. Once you choose a perfect destination, you should visit some of the websites that analyze the cost of living in particular areas. Some of these websites are:

• Numbeo,
• NerdWallet,
• BestPlaces,
• Bankrate,
• PayScale,
• Salary.

You can find details about expenses in different categories. For example, how much you’ll have to pay for food, fuel, utilities, and so on. It is possible that you discover that your dream destination is currently too expensive, but we’re sure you have some backup plans in your mind and that you’ll figure out how to cover everything. This decision also depends on one more crucial factor – are you getting a roommate?

Money Saving Techniques

Money-saving techniques are always more than welcome, especially if you’re relocating for the first time and struggling with finances. You can, for example, try some of the following tips:

• Try cooking food at home and avoid eating out every day. This is beneficial on many levels, and it can be a good option for your roommate as well. You can both agree on a cooking schedule at home and save a lot of money. 
• Using public transportation. Having your own vehicle is a big responsibility – you have to pay for fuel, repairs, licenses, and parking. Depending on where you live, this can actually cost you a few hundreds every month. If you’re on a budget, you should consider using public transportation at least until you get on your feet. 
• Do small repairs around the home on your own. Getting professionals’ assistance whenever something stops working can be pricey. This is why it is highly recommended that you learn some basics – for example, how to unclog your toilet or switch a light bulb. 

#3 Finding a Roommate Might Be One Convenient Solution

What is the cheapest way to live by yourself? Living with roommates is very popular among younger people for many reasons, but the most important ones are related to finances and the fact that you won’t be completely alone. Sure, you’ll meet neighbors and make some friends in your new city, but this can never compete with having someone living under the same roof as you. Your roomie doesn’t always have to be your bestie. 

In case you have to say goodbye to your friends and go completely alone, you can look for someone with the same interest as you at some websites made for this purpose. It is very common for people to look for roommates online and end up very satisfied with them. One of the good options for this is Craigslist, but you can also check some other popular online roommate finders. 

#4 Pay Your Apartment Bills Promptly

Another thing you should be reminded of is paying bills regularly. This is not only one of the basic responsibilities on your list – it is one of the most important ones. If you do it on time, you’ll avoid paying fees that can be pricey and affect your budget. You don’t want to risk and waste your money just because you didn’t think about this on time. 

Paying your bills promptly, including rent, will also give you a solid credit score. This is important because a solid credit score can help you secure a loan at favorable terms in case you want to buy a car or an apartment one day. 

#5 Try to Find a Job That Will Support Your Needs

Once you start living on your own and supporting yourself, you’ll probably need a regular source of income and what better option for that than getting a job in a new city. It can take a few days or weeks to adapt to this transition, especially if you have never had a job before – you’ll have to be more responsible with your tasks and time management, especially if you are studying as well. 

Once you organize the important documents needed to apply for the desired position, check some part-time options for starters. This will ensure you a steady income but won’t overwhelm you with too many responsibilities at once. You will have enough time to hang out, study, explore new surroundings without having a 9 to 5 job. 

#6 Household Chores Are Your Responsibility Now, Don’t Avoid Them

Taking care of your household is another responsibility you’ll have to deal with. Some of the regular, daily chores include cleaning, cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, throwing out the garbage, feeding your pet, vacuuming, and dusting. This might seem like a lot at the beginning, but it can be managed quite well if you create a good schedule and stick to it. Sharing responsibility is another great option if you have a roommate. 

How to Organize Your Schedule Depending on Tasks

Once you write down everything you have to do around your home, you should create a timeline. You can divide your chores into a few categories to stay organized. For example, daily chores such as feeding and walking your dog, throwing out garbage, and washing dishes can take up to 10-15 minutes each. This is something that you can easily fit into your daily routine. 

Save vacuuming and laundry for your weekly tasks because they can take more time, and you usually don’t have to do them daily. Some things like paying bills or taking your dog to a vet can be monthly tasks. Another pro tip is to do the least enjoyable tasks first – that way, you’ll avoid procrastination and delaying them for the next day. This video might give you some interesting ideas on chores management.

Now That You Have a Clear Vision of How to Live on Your Own, You Can Finally Run After Your Dreams

Now that you know how much does it cost to live on your own and what are your main obligations as a responsible adult, you probably have more courage to take this important step. Nothing should stop you from chasing your dreams and enjoying every minute along the way. However, there is only one thing left on your relocation to-list. 

You should consider investing in professional long-distance moving services and getting help from trained movers who can make your move much easier and more efficient. Donate unwanted items and decide what important things you should bring with you. Everything else you can leave to professionals and their packing service. Use your energy to fulfill your other tasks, and we’re sure you’ll create some incredible memories once everything you ever dreamed of turns into reality.